Public Holidays in Egypt

Visitors can enjoy anyone of the following special events and pubic holidays in Egypt. Click on the month itself
for more details of the weather during this period, and the special events and public holidays taking place.

1st January New Year – Although Islamic new year falls on another date, the Gregorian
new Year is still celebrated which much fervour. However government offices and businesses remain open.

7th January Egyptian Coptic Christmas – Like Russian Orthodox Christians, Egypt’s
Coptic Christian population celebrate Christmas day on 7th January. Although the vast majority of the country is
Muslim, the Christmas period is still evident in the country, albeit far less commercially than it is in the
west.

25th January Egypt Police Day – A day to celebrate the Egyptian Police Force, where government offices and ministries are
closed.

On this day in 2011 the protests began which would ultimately lead to
the resignation of Hosni Mubarak (read
about the timeline on the revolution). It's fairly safe to assume
that this day will be celebrated for the revolution in years to come.

26th February 2011 The Birth of the Prophet Mohammed – The most famous of all Egyptian
Moulids (meaning birthday in Arabic) is the birthday of the Prophet Mohammed
which falls on the 3rd Month of the Islamic calendar each year. In 2011 this will be the 26th February.
Moulid El Naby as it is known in Arabic is a time of great festivities with each town staging
carnivals and street parades, and families coming together to enjoy them. Certainly one of the most colourful
public holidays in Egypt.

25th April Sinai Liberation Day - Sinai Liberation Day celebrates the withdrawal
of Israeli troops from the Sinai Peninsular (after 15 years of
occupation) in 1982 as a result of the Camp David Agreements and the peace treaty signed between Israel and
Egypt.

25th April 2011 Sham al Naseem – The day that Egypt’s Coptic Christian population
celebrate Easter in Egypt. Although the date changes depending on the lunar calendar, it always falls sometime
between March and April. This is the most important date in the Coptic calendar, and mass is held to signify the
end of a period of fasting during which time Copts consume only a vegan diet.

18th June Egypt Evacuation Day - Know as 'Eid El Galaa' in Arabic, this day commemorates the evacuation of foreign troops from the
country, and Egypt’s sustained independence for the first time since the days of the Pharoahs. A widely
celebrated occasion but not an official public holiday.

11th August 2011 Ramadan – The most important month in the Islamic calendar, Ramadan
celebrates the time that the Holy Koran first began to be revealed to the Prophet Mohammed. This is the event most
likely to impact on your trip. Find out how. Egypt during Ramadan.

15 August Flooding the Nile – Known as 'Wafaa El Nil' in Arabic, this event celebrates the start of an important cycle that has been
honoured since ancient times.

11th August until 10th September Ramadan – The most important month in the Islamic
calendar, Ramadan celebrates the time that the Holy Koran first began to be revealed to the Prophet Mohammed. This
is the event most likely to impact on your trip. Find out how. Egypt during
Ramadan

10th September 2010 Eid Al Fitr – The feast that celebrates the end of the month
of Ramadan.

11th September 2010 Coptic New Year according to the 13 month Coptic Calendar marked
by the Feast of Neyrouz.

7th December 2010 Islamic New Year – New Year as dictated by the lunar calendar.

23rd December 2010 Victory Day – Celebrates the end of the Suez Crisis (1956) when the
Israelis - backed by the French and British - were forced to withdraw from the Suez region under US
pressure. More profoundly however it signified the end of European colonial power in the region.

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